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Diaper Matters

Advantages of Cloth Diapering

It used to be diapering was such a hassle; mothers had no choice but to use cloth diapers, clumsy pins, and annoying covers. Then they invented disposable diapers and most mothers thought it was a miracle. Now, about 80% of diapered babies use disposable diapers. But are plastic diapers really better? Before you go grab a pack of Pampers, catch up on some of the benefits of cloth diapers.

Figure out about how many diapers you use in a week and times it by 52. Next time you go to buy diapers, look at how much they cost. You’ll find that it’s a lot of diapers, translating to a lot of money. The average parent spends two to three thousand dollars diapering their child up to age three. Now go look at the cost of cloth diapers. Sure, they’re a little more expensive, but you don’t have to buy them every week at the grocery store. Cloth diapers have the added expense of doing extra laundry every week, but it still doesn’t compare to the cost of disposable diapers.

Now, go back to the number of diapers you calculated earlier and times that by how many other people in the world use disposable diapers every year. Pretty big number isn’t it? In the U.S. alone, 18 billion diapers are thrown into landfills every year. Not only do they take up tons of space, they don’t biodegrade. Plus, they’re just sitting there full of hazardous waste. Urine and feces can contain harmful bacteria; which can work their way into the environment and even your water supply. Sure, animals go to the bathroom in the wild, but all the animals in an area don’t go in one place like used diapers.

When I was a baby, my mom used cloth diapers. Not because they were cheaper or environmentally friendly, but because whenever she used disposables I’d break out in a horrible rash. If you switch to cloth diapers, you may find that some of your child’s diaper rash is actually caused by the irritation from plastic diapers. Even if your kids aren’t allergic, diapers contain toxic chemicals including Dioxin, which can cause cancer, birth defects, liver damage, skin diseases, and genetic disorders. And you know those absorbent crystals you see when you rip open up a diaper? Those are the same chemicals removed from tampons because they were linked with toxic shock syndrome in women. Sure, the chances these chemicals might harm your child is low, but why risk it?

Most moms choose disposables because they think cloth diapers are annoying and inconvenient. What they don’t realize is that cloth diapers have changed since we were kids. Diaper pins have been replaced with convenient snappies and Velcro-like materials (Velcro itself isn’t flexible enough). You can also get fitted diapers to help keep out leaks. If you don’t like those annoying plastic covers, you can get wool ones; these are especially fun because you can find them in great colors and pattern. Wool is also more comfortable than plastic covers, but works just as well. If you just like the convenience of disposable diapers, there are now all in one cloth diapers that require no folding, no liners, and can just be thrown straight in the wash.

So, why not save the environment, save some cash, and help your kids stay healthy by using good old, dependable cloth diapers.

How to Choose the Right Cloth Diapers

When we were kids, our moms had one choice for cloth diapers. It involved folding, pins, plastic covers, and a lot of frustration. Many of us have simply switched to disposable diapers because they’re more convenient. Well, most cloth diapers today are not only convenient, they’re also more attractive and sometimes work better than disposable. The key to using and sticking with cloth diapers is choosing the one that works best for you. Here are some of the cloth diaper options on the market.

  • All-in-Ones. These are basically cloth versions of disposable diapers. They come in once piece and require no inserts or outer coverings; they’re already built in. You can also get wool versions of these that have a softer cover layer. These diapers are great for busy parents, but you may have cleaning problems because you have to wash them as one piece.
  • All-in-Twos. These are just like all-in-ones except the absorbent layer is an extra piece that fits in the diaper. They are almost as convenient, but they’re more hygienic because it’s easier to clean the inserts.
  • Fitted Diapers. These look a lot like plastic diapers because they are fitted at the edges to prevent leaks. Unlike all in ones, they do require a diaper cover. You can also get contour diapers that are shaped to fit the baby, but not elasticized to fit tight.
  • Flat and Prefold Diapers. These are basically old fashioned diapers. Many have been made more convenient using snaps instead of pins, but they still require folding and aren’t fitted. Prefold diapers provide extra layers of fabric for better absorption. While these may seem archaic, they’re the cheapest option for cloth diapering.
  • Pocket Diapers. These diapers are similar to two-in-ones because you can add your own inserts, but instead of sitting in the diaper, the inserts are put into a special pocket. This is great if you need varying levels of protections and absorbency. Another great feature is that you can use almost any naturally absorbent material to put in the pocket, including old flat and prefold diapers.
  • One-size Diapers. While most diapers need to be replaced as your child grows, one-size are exactly as they sound: one size fits all. This means you can not only use the same diapers from infancy up, but you can also use the same diapers for your older and younger kids and avoid tedious diaper sorting.

You may think that choosing a diaper type is a big enough decision for you to make, but there are other variables you must consider.

  • Diaper Liners. This is what keeps excrement from getting into the main fabric of the diaper. These can be fabric, which you wash, or paper, which you can throw away or flush down the toilet.
  • Diaper Covers. It used to be you have to cover cloth diapers in annoying plastic. Now there are new materials being used including wool. Wool offers the added benefit of being warm. You can also get wool covers in pant form for a great looking, easy outfit.
  • Organics. You now have the option of getting your diaper, liners, soakers, and everything else, made from organic materials. They’re better for the environment and for your baby.

While sifting through the many diapering options can be overwhelming, it’s better to take the time. This way you can find cheap, environmentally friendly diapers that fit into your life.

How to Make Homemade Diaper Wipes

Like most disposable baby products, diaper wipes can be expensive. They also contain unnatural chemicals that may harm your baby. Instead of spending all that money, why not make your own, natural, safe baby wipes at home in just a few minutes?

To start out, you need to find a container to put your wipes in. Most people use Tupperware or some other sealed container. You can also put them in an old container of traditional baby wipes, which will give you the option of putting them in a wipe warmer. Once you have your container, you need to get a roll of Bounty paper towels (you’ll be sad if you use another brand, I promise), cut it in half, and remove the inner tube. This will give you two sets of rolls to use.

Once you have your other materials ready, it’s time to make your wipe solution. Now, if I were to give you all the recipes out there for natural baby wipes that are available, it would probably take me 100 pages. Recipes for baby wipes are similar to recipes for food: everyone has their own. Try different recipes and see which one works best for your baby. If you can’t find one you like, you can always come up with you own recipe. Most recipes contain water (boil then cool for sanitary reasons), baby shampoo or baby bath, and some kind of oil, gel or lotion. You may also find herbal ingredients that are generally for special treatments (anti-fungal wipes) or for aromatherapy.

Once you’re done making your perfect solution, you’re going to put the paper towels in the container and pour the solution over them. Let sit for 10 minutes, then turn upside down and let sit for ten more. If you’re using a container that leaks, make them in a sealed container then transfer them to the one you want later. Once the 20 minutes is up, your towels should be soaked through and ready for use. Just pull the inside towel up, seal your container, and you’re ready to go.

Take the second half of the paper towel roll and store it. Take care not to make too many wipes at once, since homemade wipes don’t have preservatives and artificial chemicals like regular baby wipes they will get moldy and musty if left too long. If you’re constantly having the problem of wipes going bad before you’re done with a roll, simply mix smaller batches of the solution and add them to the paper towels when you use them instead of ahead of time. This can be done by putting it in a spray bottle and spraying some on a wipe, or by dipping the wipe in some solution just before you’re ready to use it.

After you make a batch of baby wipes, be sure to write down the recipe you used, especially if you’re trying several. This will let you know what works best and what may be too rough for your baby’s gentle skin. In no time, you’ll have the perfect homemade personalized baby wipes for your child.